Attack on Home Minister Sabita Reddy’s house

HYDERABAD: At least 15 pro-Telangana students were arrested today after allegedly they tried to storm the residence of Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy here over the controversial ‘Free Zone’ issue, police said.

Raising slogans, a group of Osmania University Students Joint Action Committee (OUSJAC) made a bid to lay siege to the Home Minister’s residence at Srinagar Colony, but police foiled their attempt and the protesters were taken into custody, a senior police officer of Banjara Hills told PTI.

Although the government had yesterday put off the recruitment test for the posts of Sub-Inspectors in Hyderabad city, that was scheduled for next month, the OUSJAC has given a bandh call for educational institutions today.

The Telangana leaders of different political parties and OUSJAC had been demanding that the written exams be postponed till the Presidential Order treating Hyderabad as ‘Free Zone’ is amended as per resolution passed by the state Assembly.

They wanted the government to start recruitment for SI posts only after deletion of 14 (F) clause in the Presidential Order to prevent injustice to Telangana candidates.

Meanwhile, the indefinite fast undertaken by seven students of OUSJAC at the OU Camps here entered fifth day.

"There is no response from the government over our demands even as our fast-unto-death has entered fifth day," a student, who is on hunger strike said.

Following the bandh call, managements of several private institutions decided to voluntarily close their educational institutions.(PTI)